It is simple enough to see what translation is used on the original Compaq (CHS,
LBA, or whatever), then autodetect the drive in the BIOS of the H-P, as a slave or
secondary drive, using the same translation. Where's the problem?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Lil' Dave" wrote in message
...
ATA and IDE are essentially equivalent, yes.

Nope. Moving HDs from one PC, especially different makes with different
bios, to another without altering the CHS perspective of the bios hardly
happens. The CHS perspective affects the total makeup of the partition(s)
and file locations.
Networking the two PCs is the best idea for moving/copying data.
Using a hub means using easier to find straight thru cable rather than
cross-over cable.
"glee" wrote in message
...
As Richard said, the interface is the same. Just install the Compaq's
hard drive
into the H-P as a second drive, and drag the data file where you wish.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"ben daily" wrote in message
m...
My parents have 2 old PC's that I need to network so my Dad can
archive files from the older unit to save to CD or at least to the
newer units' hard drive.

They have a Compaq Presario CDS 850 Model 340. this unit has a 486
running at 50 MHZ (486DX2 chip) still running Windows 3.1 OS.

Their other unit is an HP Pavillion 65456 It has a Celleron chip and
is running Windows 98, 2nd edition.

A first thought I had was to pull the hard drive from the Compaq box
and put it into the HP box and just drag the files out. However with
some research I did today I think that's a no go since the Compaq has
the IDE type drive interface and the HP has the ATA type drive
interface.

Neither of the boxes have ethernet nic's so I need to get those and
any drivers for the boxes as well if someone would tell me which cards
and how to set them for happy habitations in their homes. Does anyone
have an extra nic for the compaq they wouldn't mind giving me?

I do have what is supposed to be a cross-over cable for possible use
and also happen to have a hub that I could throw into the mix if it
would simplify the connections.

Ben